Latest news with #culturalidentity
Arab News
6 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission launched the Little Explorer program in Abha, aiming to connect younger generations with the Kingdom's heritage and introduce them to elements of national cultural identity. Running until July 26 at Al-Muftaha Village, the event encourages curiosity and appreciation for heritage among children through interactive educational activities. It includes cultural, artistic, sports, and adventure events, as well as workshops. The program emphasizes the preservation of artifacts and responsible engagement with cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. Little Explorer is one of the commission's key initiatives to promote national identity and build a generation that values heritage. It is designed for young audiences, combining scientific knowledge with interactive learning. Participants learn the basics of archeology, artifact handling, and excavation through practical tools and realistic simulations, allowing creative and hands-on interaction with heritage.
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Heritage Commission Launches 'Little Explorer' to Inspire Heritage Awareness
Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission launched the 'Little Explorer' event on Tuesday in its third stop in the city of Abha as part of its ongoing efforts to connect younger generations with the Kingdom's heritage and introduce them to the elements that shape the national cultural identity. Running until July 26 at Al-Muftaha Village, the event aims to spark curiosity and instill a sense of value for heritage among children and youth through interactive, educational experiences that highlight the importance of preserving archaeological artifacts and promote responsible engagement with cultural heritage, fostering greater national cultural awareness. 'Little Explorer' stands out as one of the commission's notable initiatives, promoting national identity and building a generation that understands and appreciates the significance of heritage. It is tailored to suit the needs of its young audience, combining scientific knowledge with interactive learning in innovative and engaging ways.
UAE Moments
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Tips for Raising Kids Abroad as an Arab Parent
Whether you're chasing job opportunities in Europe, pursuing a degree in North America, or exploring a new life in Southeast Asia, parenting outside the GCC as an expat comes with its own highs, lows, and 'Wait, how do you say diaper in French?' moments. From cultural identity and language preservation to handling homesickness and managing mixed-world values, here's a handy guide packed with practical tips and heartfelt insights to help Gulf parents raise well-rounded, happy kids abroad. 🌍 1. Keep Their Roots Visible, Not Just Remembered One of the biggest challenges Arab parents face abroad is helping kids stay connected to their heritage. Try this: Celebrate Islamic and Gulf national holidays like Eid, National Day, or Ramadan—even if you're the only ones on your street doing so. Decorate your home with Gulf motifs—think majlis-style cushions, Arabic calligraphy, or even khaleeji music playing in the background. Cook traditional dishes regularly. Involve your kids in prepping harees, machboos, or luqaimat—it's heritage disguised as dinner prep. 🗣️ 2. Don't Let the Mother Tongue Fade Arabic—especially the dialect spoken at home—can fade quickly in foreign environments. If kids only hear English or other local languages at school and socially, they might soon respond with a 'huh?' when you say 'yalla!' What helps: Speak Arabic (or your native dialect) at home consistently. Use Arabic apps, audiobooks, and cartoons like Shaabiat Al Cartoon or Masameer. Hire an Arabic tutor or enroll them in heritage language weekend classes if available nearby. ✨ 3. Be the Culture Guide You Wish You Had Your children are likely experiencing their culture through your lens, so don't let it stop at traditions and food. Share the "why" behind everything. Pro parenting tip: Make storytelling a habit. Share memories of your own childhood in the Gulf—be it chasing the ice cream truck in Jeddah or getting your first abaya in Muscat. These stories help kids personalize where they're from. 🌐 4. Teach Them to Be Proudly Hybrid Your kid might eat ramen at lunch and biryani at dinner—and that's a win. Being a Third Culture Kid (TCK) means they're growing up blending identities. That can be a superpower, not a confusion. What to focus on: 🏫 5. Choose Schools That Reflect Your Values When possible, select an international or multicultural school where diversity is the norm and not the exception. Ask about inclusion, cultural sensitivity, and whether there are other Arab or Muslim families in the community. Bonus tip: If you're homeschooling, integrate Gulf history, Arabic language, and Islamic studies alongside your global curriculum. 🤝 6. Create or Join a Local Arab/Muslim Community This helps you and your kids avoid isolation. Whether it's a Friday prayer group, Arab moms' WhatsApp chat, or weekend playdates with other Arab families, shared culture brings comfort. Not available nearby? Try digital communities or set up monthly virtual storytimes or cook-alongs with extended family back in the Gulf. 😢 7. Tackle Homesickness with Fun Rituals Homesickness hits differently when you're raising kids abroad. Create 'mini Gulf moments' that your family looks forward to. Ideas: Friday majlis breakfast—floor seating, karak chai, and a no-shoes policy. Monthly virtual catch-ups with cousins and grandparents. Sharing photos or funny throwback stories about 'home.' 🧠 8. Normalize Their Emotional Rollercoaster Expat kids often feel like they don't fully belong anywhere—and that's okay. Let them talk through their confusion, sadness, or even guilt for not knowing more Arabic or missing Gulf summers. Helpful practices: Journal together—get a cute "My Life Abroad" notebook for them. Therapy is okay too! Find culturally sensitive child therapists if needed. Teach them mindfulness and gratitude to anchor themselves emotionally. 💼 9. Stay Open About Future Plans Some families return to the Gulf eventually, while others settle abroad for good. Keep the conversation open so your child knows what might be ahead—transparency helps reduce anxiety. Pro tip: If a Gulf homecoming is part of your plan, involve them in the vision. 'Would you like to live in Riyadh again one day? What would that be like for you?' ❤️ 10. Let Love Bridge the Distance At the end of the day, you're not raising a passport—you're raising a person. Regardless of where they're born, schooled, or raised, your child will carry your values, your warmth, and your love. So keep the Gulf spirit alive, no matter the timezone. Final Thought Raising children abroad as an Arab parent can feel like a juggling act—Arabic vs English, oud vs TikTok trends—but it's also a beautiful chance to raise kids who are grounded in identity and open to the world. Just remember: You're not alone. You're part of a growing tribe of Arab parents shaping tomorrow's global citizens, one bedtime story and iftar at a time.
Vogue
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Young Mexican Americans Are Reclaiming Style as Resistance
To be a Mexican American living in the United States has always meant a deep-rooted fight to be seen. There's a constant conflict: 'We gotta prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are, and we gotta prove to the Americans how American we are,' as the character Abraham Quintanilla Jr. famously put it in the 1997 movie Selena. Then there's the harmful rhetoric fueled by politicians that paints us as criminals, gang members, and worse. Growing up the daughter of Mexican immigrants who came here in pursuit of a better life, I always felt pressure to assimilate, to be American, to live the dream of the country I was privileged enough to be born in. So I tried. I swapped braids for flat irons and replaced the bold brown liner and fiery red lipstick my aunts wore with light pink gloss. I wanted to be American in the way that felt the most palpable. It wasn't until college that I began to circle back to my roots—not with some grand cultural awakening but through small, instinctive moments that felt like returning home. I found myself reaching for that same brown lip liner I once rolled my eyes at; I slipped into plaid flannels I'd sneaked from my brother's closet and found armor in the form of chunky gold hoops that made me feel my most comfortable and confident. In today's political and cultural climate, with ICE raids sweeping through neighborhoods and rampant anti-immigrant discourse, it's clear that no amount of fitting in can protect us. The act of blending in, of shrinking ourselves, has never guaranteed safety; it has only cost us connection. So now many Mexicans and Mexican Americans are choosing to be seen in the loudest, most unmistakable way: by wearing their culture on their sleeves—literally. I've noticed this among peers and on TikTok, where other children of Mexican immigrants are documenting this intentional sartorial shift. 'Being in a corporate environment that is predominantly white, I wanted to take space—and use style—to start a conversation about my culture and where I come from, especially because it's often overlooked,' Michael Anthony N. Gonzalez, a 24-year-old working in fashion merchandising tells me of his viral video, in which he wears a blue-and-white plaid shirt reminiscent of the 1960s Chicano movement. 'Ironically, many of the people who say fashion isn't political are the same ones who get uncomfortable when I dress in a way that reflects my identity. That alone proves how political fashion really is.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Cultural House Showcases Heritage at Najran Summer Festival
The Cultural House took part in the Najran summer festival, organized by the Najran Municipality at Emirate Palace square in the Aba Al-Saud neighborhood. The event featured a dedicated pavilion that offered visitors a rich cultural experience, showcasing authentic handicrafts and artworks by local artisans that reflected Najran's unique heritage and cultural identity, SPA reported. The initiative also highlighted the Cultural House's commitment to empowering creative talents and enhancing cultural expression at public events. The participation aligns with its broader mission to foster community engagement, promote cultural diversity, and support traditional crafts as a foundation of the creative economy.
